Getting Refund for TurboTax $44.99 Premium Services Benefits

Forum|Forum|5 years ago
February 28, 2021
4 replies
22 views

I filed my taxes today and in three separate occasions, I had to click no to TurboTax's $44.99 Premium Service Benefits. When I got to the filing step, I selected the option for TurboTax to deduct the filing cost (State + Premier) directly from my refund. Normally, this would be fine, but unfortunately there is a new cost this year for Californians and I was forced to get the $44.99 Premium Service. I was going to review what my current selected packages and options are at the end, but it didn't even take me to a confirmation page, it just straight up filed for me. I could have paid with a credit card, but I was unaware that this cost would be added on and the Premium Service would be forced onto me. Is there a way I can cancel this service, pay with my credit card, and get a refund even though my filing has been accepted?

I think TurboTax is extremely predatory with the way it forces paid packages onto us. I don't want filing protection, identity theft protection, or whatever protection this Premium Service gives me. If I did, I would have selected that option when I prepared my filings. The fact that they keep trying to bundle services secretly onto our tax filings, hoping we would miss that one last remove or rejection to add an additional fee to our filing is extremely shady.

TurboTax Premier Online

mesquitebean

Level 15

I don't work for TurboTax, but I'll tell you how to reach them at the bottom of this posting. I'm a fellow user but have seen posts like yours many times from users who have had similar experiences. The fee for Premium Services is shown, I believe, in the Step 1 - Review your order section and in the Order Summary in that section. I have no way to look at it. I don't have a screen image, but I know a fellow forum helper who might.

Premium Services is not new. I've been answering questions about it for several years. It's added for Californians who chose to pay out of the Federal refund and includes the added benefits you mentioned. In California, that's the only way for filers to get the "pay out of refund" method.

For several years there has been a service fee to pay for TurboTax fees out of the Federal refund. In all states except California the fee is $40. In California, the fee is $45, where it is bundled as "Premium Services", which also includes Identity services, Audit Defense, etc. as part of the bundle.

FAQ: What is the Premium Services bundle?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/choosing-a-product/help/what-is-the-premium-services-bundle/01/25541

It's only added if/when a California filer chooses to pay the product fees out of the Federal refund. It can, however, be removed prior to filing, and then one could pay upfront with credit/debit card to avoid the $45 fee. But you say you have already filed.

This is a user community forum. Nothing account-specific can be handled here. You can discuss it with TurboTax Support by phone, if you wish. I don't know what they will say, but they may say that continuing to file indicated your acceptance of the terms. Here's how to reach them during business hours:

Hours are 5AM-9PM Pacific (8AM-12 Midnight Eastern) 7 days/week.

FAQ: What is the TurboTax phone number?
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/what-is-the-turbotax-phone-number/00/25632

Or use this contact form to be assigned a phone number. Indicate your product and in the issue line say billing issue without quotes.
https://support.turbotax.intuit.com/contact

egluckman

Level 2

Can this fee be avoided if filing by mail? I filed by mail last year and don't recall seeing this fee.

CarissaM

Level 15

If you have not used the service or completed your purchase, you can follow the instructions here to remove the Premium Services and still file by e-file. The Premium Service is an optional add on.

If you need additional assistance, please comment and let us know. @egluckman

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Cassandrajohnson37

Level 2

I would like to cancel this service please

CarissaM

Level 15

To cancel the service, please follow the instructions here to contact us by phone @Cassandrajohnson37.

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Cindyjo24

Level 2

@CarissaM

I've called multiple times... and not one Intuit/Turbotax agent has helped with this. I was sent a link to request refund however the ONLY item not listed in the itemized list of my order is the Premium Services Bundle $44.99 yet the amount is included in total amount. I also contacted Experian hours after i filed being it was not something I ordered and was told it would cancel within 30days, before my tax return is processed by IRS. But of course that didnt happen and I was still charged. So now i dont know who to contact, and this is why lawsuits are being filed and Turbotax is losing longtime loyal customers. With the way things are going: inflation, gas prices (esp in LA), unbelievable cost of rent, food pricing, etc.... PEOPLE CANT AFFORD TO JUST LOSE MONEY FOR THINGS LIKE THIS!! I DID NOT ORDER THE PREMIUM SERVICES AND IT WAS A TRICK TO FORCE IT ON PEOPLE SIMPLY TRYING TO FILE THEIR TAXES.

egluckman

Level 2

I am also seeing this $45 fee for the first time this year. It seems very misleading that they are forcing this fee without notice and at the point entries are finished and we are ready to file.

kpletta1

Level 2

Thanks for the heads up. I was able to back up and pay the CA filing fee with a credit card and avoid the premium service fee (I hope so anyway, let's wait and see).